Customer Reviews

Understanding

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"Don't compare me to Jay-Z..." Memphis Bleeks commands on "They'll Never Play Me", the 11th track on his album "The Understanding". In some sense, that is reasonable request. An artist should stand or fall on his own merits. However, it is inevitable that Bleek would be compared to his mentor, not because of his status as Jigga's one-time understudy, but because Jay-Z is the yardstick by which most MCs in the Mafioso rap sub-genre are measured.

Bleek may as well demand that listeners not compare him to AZ, Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Raekwon, or any other MC that's ever picked up the mic and spit about pushing weight and bagging broads. In truth, it would be better for him if we didn't. Although Bleek isn't terrible, he comes across as rather average in terms of both concept and flow. His subject matter is mundane (by hip hop standards) and his delivery is all right, but it's nothing special. His lyrics definitely lack complexity, and this is never more evident than when he's rhyming alongside his former mentor (Jigga) who makes appearances on no less than four of this album's tracks.

All in all, Bleek, while competent, fails to stand out from the crowd.

Question: When has Memphis Bleek delivered a top notch album? Maybe his recent "534" album, thats it. As of 2006, he's four albums deep and seems to haven't acquired the status of some [former] Roc-A-Fella artists (i.e. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Kanye West, etc.) As being Jay-Z's close friend, Jay always says he's one hit away. But giving him the benefit of the doubt, I decided to check out this album for only one reason. The hit song "Is That Your (Chick)" with Jay-Z, Missy Eliott, and Twista. It's ironic because the song was origonally Jay's and was supposed to be on the "Vol. 3: Life And Times Of S. Carter" album, Bleek was just thrown in there...thats why it's subtitled "The Lost Verses".

Anyway there are many other songs on the album too that are below expectations. "We Get Low" is one of these tracks. "Bounce B****" will make you laugh, because of how horrible it sounds, along with the production. And "Everyday" with Carl Thomas, is a prime example of how wack Bleek is. And his good friend Jay-Z doesn't make anything better either on some tracks. "Do My" is one of those tracks that are below both Jay's and Bleek's expectations. But Jay, Beanie Sigel and H. Money Bags will outshine Bleek on the track "My Mind Right".

There are some good songs here thought that I have a feel for. "I Get High" is a laid back track about smoking weed while driving. Bleek and Beans will do a decent job on the song "Change Up" (I wouldn't credit Jay-Z on what he does though). "They'll Never Play Me" Bleek actually flips his word play and makes it a good song. The album's closer "In My Life" is a real good emotional track that I like very much.

As you can hear, Bleek can pull some tracks on his own on this album, but he fails to do on others. In most songs that he makes with a guest, he is outshined (see next album M.A.D.E.). I won't lie though, Bleek has had a somewhat successful career, because he stood in Jay-Z's shadow. Trust me, if he was on his own, he would have fallen off real fast, and would have never have made it to "534". I guess if you're a Bleek fan or want to hear one of his albums, go ahead and cop this. Otherwise, save your money.

Lyrics: C
Production: C+
Guest Appearances: B-
Musical Vibes: C-
Overall: C

Fav Tracks: I Get High, My Mind Right (Remix), They'll Never Play Me, Is That Your (Chick) [The Lost Verses], In My Life

Peace Everyone!

I dont see what all the hype is about I mean Memphis is OK Lyrically but his beats are garbage no disrespect but why does Jay-Z get all the hot beats and they give the others garbage I gave it 3 stars because lyrically Memph is Hot but it would be 5 stars if this was an accapella CD I mean I like the songs Mind Right and My favorite I get High but the rest accapella and I 4got is that your chick but it gets 3 stars from me.

Had written a long review on Memphis Bleeks album "The Understanding" (2000) with full track by track anaylsis and more but when Minimizing browser found I had closed window instead! So now ill just summarize: Album has guest appearances from: Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Amil, Money Bags, Twista, Missy Elliot and R & B Singer Carl Thomas. Just Blaze produced intro "U know Bleek" is *blazing* hot, makes you wish it was longer. Next real standout track for me is the relaxed "I get High" a track about getting blunted and cruising in the ride, with a dedication to late great Notorious. Bleek comes harder on "My Mind Right" (Remix) and "Hustlers", laying down some disses. Bleek also comes out real strong on "They will never play me" track about haters where Bleek drops sick verse after verse. "Everyday" feat. Carl Thomas, doesnt pick up till about halfway through, end result though is a good rap/r&b collabration. "Is that your Chick" feat. Jay-Z, Twista, Missy Elliot, brings a totally different sound to album, okay track. The best is saved for last however with "In My Life" a deep track where Bleek talks about his life, lost friends, his pops, living hard and survival, and his love for the streets, this track one of my favourite of 2000, what I love about is how Bleek comes real on it. Memphis Bleeks "The Understanding" shows that Bleek is more than just another average MC and is living up to his potential, making this an album worth having.

For all you bleek haters it's time to shut up. This album is most defenatly rockin. PYT, Is That Your Chick, I get High, and I get Low are among my favorites. Bleek's rhymes have improved from Coming of age and all the beats on the off the hook. Definately better than some other roca fella releases.

Memphis Bleek returns for his sophmore album hotter than ever. This CD is what Roc-a-Fella is all about. If you are a big fan of Jigga, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and the rest of the Roc-a-Fella family, than this CD can not be missed. Bleek is back with rhymes tighter and beats doper than his first, Coming of Age. While that was a great CD, The Understanding shows how Memphis Bleek has matured in his career, with songs that seem to have more meaning, but still holding true to the ROC ways of making money and getting those guns. If you enjoyed the first Memph CD, or even Jay-Z's Dynasty, as well as the summer single of Hey Papi, than this is what you need. And speaking of Jay-Z, if you get your jollies off of him rapping in on tracks, he's all over this one. The only downside to this cd is that it's missing DJ Clue shouting and claiming to be the one that brought us Bleek. Wait, that's a good thing. To go with today's lingo, "this cd is off the hook, yall."

This is the best Roc-A-Fella cd since reasonable doubt

I know a lot of people don't like Bleek... but this album is off the hook. EVERY single beat is off the chain, and you can see how Memph has improved lyrically since "Coming of Age". My favorite tracks are "I Get High", "My Mind Right remix", "Hustlers", "PYT", "Is That Your Chick"... EVERYTHING. Not quite a 5 star album if you compare to Ready to Die, Illmatic, etc. but a very very good album. I highly recommend it.

forget all the bleek haters. some say he wouldn't be nething without jigga.well they're all wrong cuz he'd be just as well off by himself. almost every song on here has a killa beat and dope lyrics. the only songs which i wouldn't give 5 stars are all types of s***, everyday, and in my life. the latter 2 feature rNb beats which don't sound tight with memph's voice. my favorites r is that your chick and bounce b****. bounce b**** has a headnoddin beat and i think memph flows best on this track. is that your chick has a beat by timbaland so u know its dope and has fast rappin by jay-z and twista. my 2 favorite verses are beanie sigel's on change up which features 3 different beats,and twistas on is that your chick because he spits so fast. memph also has some memorable verses like the 1st on P.Y.T.(pretty young thing) and his verses on we get low. my favorite thing about memph is the expression he uses in his rapping switching tones often. this cd is a rocafella classic. i would say its up there with volume 2 hard knock life. newayz if u like dope beats and flow with lots of expression cop this album.

MAN...THIS ALBUM IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPROVED FOLLOW UP ALBUMS I'VE EVER HEARD...MOBB DEEP,TUPAC,TRIBE CALLED QUEST,BONE,KURUPT AND IM SURE MANY OTHERS WERE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR SECOND EFFORT BETTER THAN THEIR FIRST...BUT ITS VERY UNCOMMON...PERSONALLY I THOUGHT BLEEK'S FIRST ALBUM WAS OFF THE HOOK...IT WAS HARD,THE BEATS WERE PHAT,THE LYRICS WERE SICK,AND IT PUT HIM IN THE RANKS AS ONE OF THA ROC'S TOP HENCHMEN...THEN THE SECOND ONE CAME OUT...WHEW...IM NOT GONNA REPEAT WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS ALREADY SAID, BUT I COULDN'T EVEN PRAISE IT ENOUGH IF I WANTED TO...ONE THING YA'LL NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHEN LISTENIN TO THIS ALBUM IS THAT BLEEK DIDN'T WRITE ONE WORD ON PAPER...IT WAS ALL THOUGHT UP,MEMORIZED,AND LET OUT IN THE STUDIO...THAT'S RIGHT YA'LL,HE LEARNED FROM BEIN AROUND JAY SO MUCH...SO FOR ALL OF YOU (...) WHO KEEP SAYIN HIS LYRICS CAN BE BETTER, LETS SEE YOU COME UP WITH A RAP THAT HAS SOMETHING MORE INTELLIGENT TO SAY WITHOUT HAVIN TO WRITE IT,BUT ALSO HAVING IT SOUND PHAT...NOW THATS REAL TALENT...I CAN'T BLAIM THE GUY FOR CLAIMIN TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST RAPPERS CUZ I FEEL HES GOT AMAZIN TALENT...ON MY TALENT LIST NAS,MOBB DEEP,JAY,MEMPH,BIGGIE,PAC,OUTKAST,KURUPT,LUDACRIS ARE IN MY OPINION THE TOP RAP ARTIST(S) OUT THERE...IF YA'LL WANT TALENT,GET THIS...IF YA'LL WANT BEATS, GET THIS...IF YA'LL WANT A MASTERPIECE, GET THIS...HOPEFULLY WE ALL COME TO THIS UNDERSTANDING.